Heard on the Hill
What we're hearing from people we trust on and around the Hill
Party with us tonight! By now, you read our interview with Manhattan Institute president Reihan Salam; join him and us at our Christmas party that we are cohosting tonight. Sign up HERE immediately; this has sold out five times already and we have reserved as much space at Mission as we can.
NLRB loss for Biden and win for Trump: The Washington Reporter previously warned about the Democrats’ last-minute attempt to prevent President Donald Trump from getting to pick the chair of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) until 2026. Fortunately, the Democrats’ attempt to install their own chair was defeated this week.
Vance flexing his muscles: JD Vance has flexed his muscles in the transition when it comes to big tech issues. Sources tell the Reporter that he was critical in getting more populist thinkers in key positions, including FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson, FTC nominee Mark Meador, and head of the Department of Justice’s antitrust division, Gail Slater, who is his current Economic Policy Advisor.
Real intelligence working on artificial intelligence: House GOP Leaders have been in contact with David Sacks, the incoming crypto and artificial intelligence czar for President Trump. They’ve been discussing a framework on AI.
Big problems for big tech? Sources tell the Reporter that concerns are growing among Trump allies about the possible appointment of Vishal Amin as the head of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). The populist wing of the Republican Party has pointed out how Amin would be a “shill for Big Tech and weak on patents,” according to a source familiar with the discussions.
Tech bros unite: Elon Musk, David Sacks, and Shaun Maguire have been spotted at Mar-a-Lago interviewing key people for top administration roles for tech, financial, and defense policy.
Play ball: Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.) held his Christmas Part at Nationals Park last night. Among those spotted were Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R., La.) and Whip Tom Emmer (R., Minn.). The event had access to the dugout and batting cages.
Congratulations 1.0: President Donald Trump picked Kari Lake to helm the Voice of America; we spoke with Lake a few months ago. Get to know her better by reading our story here.
Congratulations 2.0: President Trump picked Andrew Ferguson to helm the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Ferguson, a current FTC commissioner, spoke with us over the summer about his career and goals at the commission. Read that story here.